The Waitress Asked Me to Pay Upfront—Unaware That I Own the Restaurant

Linda’s Keen Eye

Recognizing the need for someone with experience, I turned to Linda, our most seasoned waitress. “Linda, could you do me a favor and keep an eye on Emma?” I asked, careful to maintain discretion. She raised her eyebrows slightly but gave a quiet nod, grasping the seriousness of the situation. In the days that followed, Linda remained silent yet vigilant, observing from the sidelines. Her careful watchfulness provided a detailed account of Emma’s actions, bringing us closer to unraveling her web of deceit.

Catching Emma’s Swap

Linda’s keen eyes spotted what most would overlook. From the background, she observed Emma discreetly manipulating cash transactions—pocketing upfront payments and marking orders as canceled. Over a quiet cup of coffee, Linda shared her discovery with me, her voice tinged with disbelief. “She’s been at this for a while,” she said, slowly shaking her head. Emma’s scheme was beginning to unravel, but I knew I needed more than just witnesses to confront her.